Concussion Toolkit

Our experts know that even what seems to be minor head injury can cause serious changes in the brain. It can be difficult to determine the severity of a concussion, especially in the first several hours after injury. It is essential to know the facts associated with a concussion and the best possible care after an injury. The below steps outline what to expect and give you the tools to progress into recovery. Please remember that this information is part just a small part of concussion management and should not be subsituted for the care and treatment of a physician.

Steps for Concussion Recovery

A concussion is an injury to the brain which affects how it works. Common symptoms are headache, dizziness, trou­ble concentrating, feeling tired, and feeling foggy. Like all injuries, rest helps healing. Once healed, a gradual return back to normal activities is important to avoid repeat injury or making the injury worse. The below information includes a basic outline of the steps your child may go through when returning to normal life after a concussion. Each plan is slightly different and based on your child’s indi­vidual needs.

The team at Dayton Children’s will consider any prior head injuries, medical history, class schedule, specific symptoms, and sports played, then design a plan unique to your child’s needs.

Go to the ER for any other injuries which occurred with the concussion, such as a laceration or an eye injury.

Home recovery period (can last 2 days to 3 weeks).

Your child still feels symptoms while resting at home. The brain needs time to heal without letting isolation, anxiety, and boredom take over. More activity slows healing, but can be done under certain circumstances.

If this period lasts longer than 3 weeks, see your doctor to find out if there is anything else you can do to help with recovery.

Return to School (length of time varies).

Once your child has no symptoms while resting at home, it is time to start a slow return to school.

The concussion team at Dayton Children’s will cus­tomize a return-to-school program for your child. The program will consider medical history, class schedule, time missed, and concussion symptoms

Expect to see school restrictions such as half days only, observation only, no tests or projects, no make-up work due dates, or breaks in a quiet room if needed.

Expect to see the doctor about every week during this time to change school restrictions as your child heals.

Once your child is able to attend a full day of class and do schoolwork without any concussion symptoms, it is time to add make-up work, tests, and a return-to-sports program.

Returning to sports (takes 5-10 days after full school return).

It is safe to start a stepwise return to sports once your child feels no symptoms at school and has been cleared by the doctor. Many of these steps can be done with approval of a school athletic trainer, or by phone with your physician

Expect to spend at least 24 hours on each of these steps. If concussion symptoms return, stop for 24 hours, then restart on the previous step when symptoms are gone.